Media statements archive

The Department of Parks and Wildlife is advising people planning on camping in national parks and reserves over the Easter long weekend to check availability before they go. Many campgrounds in parks and reserves in the South West, Warren and Swan regions are fully occupied ahead of the Easter long weekend, with limited availability at some sites on a first-come, first-served basis. Swan Region Most campgrounds in Lane Poole Reserve are full. Walyunga National Park camp site and Perth Hills Discovery Centre camp site in Beelu National Park are full. Martins Tank campground in Yalgorup National Park has limited availability and is expected to fill up by Good Friday. South West Region In Wellington National Park, Honeymoon Pool is expected to be full by Thursday. There…

Parks and Wildlife staff have completed an important prescribed burn at Windjana Gorge National Park, just prior to the peak dry season visitor period. Broome-based Parks and Wildlife regional fire coordinator Ed Hatherley said the prescribed burn had reduced flammable grasses that had accumulated throughout the national park and broader Kimberley over the wet season. “This type of strategic burning will help provide protection for the park’s significant natural values and infrastructure,” Mr Hatherley said. “Burning the savanna grass in strategic locations such as at Windjana will help stem the spread of potentially damaging bushfires later in the year and play an important role in protecting visitors to the national park.” Windjana Gorge, with its spectacular 100m walls and the Lennard River running through it,…

The Department of Parks and Wildlife is calling on the community to help protect Mt Lindesay from dieback by not riding motorbikes on designated walk trails. Mt Lindesay and Little Mt Lindesay, near Denmark, are important areas for rare plant species – there are five declared rare species and 26 priority-listed species in Mt Lindesay National Park. Parks and Wildlife Frankland District nature conservation coordinator Alison McGilvray said parts of the national park are still free from dieback (Phytophthora cinnamomi). “Dieback is a soil-borne pathogen which attacks the roots of susceptible plant species,” Ms McGilvray said. “The disease presents one of the greatest threats to biodiversity in Western Australia, affecting about 40 per cent of flora in the south-west of WA. “It’s really important that…

A sub-adult humpback whale has died of natural causes on Emu Point beach, Albany, on Saturday 12 April. The 6.5m whale, estimated to be about 12-months-old and weighing 3.2 tonnes, stranded on the beach overnight on Friday and was reported to the Department of Parks and Wildlife at 7.30am. Parks and Wildlife Nature Conservation Regional Leader Deon Utber said the whale was alive when department staff arrived at the beach but died a short time later. “The whale was in very poor condition and severely emaciated,” Mr Utber said. “It died of natural causes at 9.15am. “There was an injury on its flank but this did not contribute to the cause of death.” Officers from Department of Fisheries and WA Police also attended the beach…

Visitors to South Coast national parks are being urged to put their safety first when spending time near the ocean during Easter and the school holidays. Department of Parks and Wildlife Albany district manager Peter Hartley said while the southern coastline was often at its best during March-April, the Southern Ocean could also be unpredictable and dangerous. "At this time of year there is an influx of visitors to the beautiful and unique areas Parks and Wildlife manages, especially with the attraction of catching Australian salmon,” Mr Hartley said. “We urge everyone to always consider their personal safety and fish from sandy beaches where possible. “If you are fishing from rocks, extra care and precautions are strongly recommended to ensure lives are protected from potential…